Liquidation: the next step

the Sunday Times.

One member, who asked not to be named, sent Watson a text, warning should he proceed with a media smear campaign, a load of his dirty laundry would be hung out in the open.

“Mr President apparently you are planning a media onslaught on two of our [coalition] members and let me warn you if that happens, we will have no choice but to play your game,” read the message to Watson, seen by the Sunday Times.

“I suggest you consider stepping down now and keep your dignity and integrity intact.”

Watson survived a vote of no confidence attempt during a special continuation of the union’s annual meeting last month due to a constitutional THE Eastern Province Rugby Union (Epru) and its beleaguered commercial arm EP Kings (Pty) Limited will hear on Thursday if an application filed by 18 former players to have them liquidated is successful.

The players are owed a combined R12-million in unpaid salaries since September last year, the time when the province’s financial woes reached its nadir.

If the players, represented by Craig Jessop, succeed, then the Cheeky Watson-led administration will lose control of the union to a liquidator and its assets will be sold off to settle the debts.

But the players will receive compensation well short of what they are owed, according to Nastascha Harduth, director at Werksmans attorneys. — technicality that involved missing signatures on some of the club documents.

The motion was then thrown out, as it fell short of the 20% required to have it tabled in the first place. The “transformation heard on Thursday.

Jessop, a key player in trying to secure player funds, said: “There are confidential settlement discussions behind the scenes.”

Watson is also losing support among some of his staunchest supporters in the province. Zola Yeye, former Springbok team manager, was on the fence.

“I never said Cheeky must stay at all cost . . . but I don’t know why they want him down as an individual,” said Yeye.

“All I said was that we are all aware that Eastern Province is struggling financially and if it is found that there was financial embezzlement then the due process must take course. Secondly, I sympathise with the players.”